Truss



June 4, 1940. P, WALTER 2,203,037

TRUSS Filed Au 24, 1938 Patented June 4, .1940

UNITED STATES rarer FFICE I 2 Claims.

This invention relates to trusses, and more particularly to an improved means for mounting the truss pad on the frame.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved means whereby the truss pad may be adjusted along the length of the truss frame.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby the pad may be adjusted toward or away from the frame so that any desired pressure may be applied to the rupture.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved mounting means for the pad whereby the angular relation of the pad relative tothe frame may be varied at will to meet the particular condition. y

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a truss structure an improved means for attaching the pad to the frame so that the pad may be securely locked in its adjusted position relative to the frame.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawing, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a truss frame having a pair of truss pads secured thereto according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a detail top plan of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l0 designates generally a frame structure, which includes a relatively rigid frame bar I I which is bent longitudinally as shown in Fig. 2, and a pair of straps l3 which are adapted to substantially encircle the body of the wearer.

The frame bar H is provided with a pair of elongated slots l2, and a pair of pad adjusting and holding bolts M are engageable through the slots I2, there being one bolt M in each slot I2. A pair of truss pads l5 are mounted one on each bolt I4, and each pad member I5 is provided with a cup or concavo-convex shaped plate member l5 which is secured to the pad l5 by means of bolts, screws or other fastening devices l1. Each plate member I6 is provided with a flange l8 through which the fastening devices H are adapted to engage.

A nut member I9 is threaded onto the bolt I4, and this nut member [9 is provided with a convex inner surface 2f) engaging in the concave portion of the cup member It, so that the cup member 66 and the pad It may be angularly adjusted relative to the bolt it and to the frame,

bar H. A spring H is disposed about the inner end of the bolt E5, and one end of the spring 2| engages against the inner face of the pad 15 within the cup member it and the other end of the spring 2% engages against the nut member l9 so as to frictionally hold the nut member l9 against turning and thus permit desired turning of the bolt M so as to effect adjustment: of the pad l5.

A tubular or cylindrical sleeve member 22 is loosely disposed about the bolt M and is provided with peripheral threads 23. A second sleeve or nut 24 having interior threads is threaded onto the sleeve 22, and this sleeve or nut 24 provides a means whereby the pad l5 may be adjusted toward or away from the frame bar II. A washer 25 is interposed between the head of the bolt or screw l4 and the adjacent side of the frame bar II and on the side opposite from the sleeve 22.

In the use of this truss structure, the frame I0 is disposed about the body of the wearer, and the sleeve or nut member 2% is initially adjusted along the length of the sleeve 22 by turning the nut 24 in the proper. direction. The exterior surface of the nut or sleeve 2 5 may be knurled or serrated so as to facilitate the turning thereof. The angular position of the pad l5 may then be adjusted by rocking the pad and cup member I6, whereupon the bolt 54 may be turned to tightly bind the cup member 16 between the nut l9 and the nut or sleeve 24. The tightening of the bolt M will not only bind the sleeve or cup member 2 5 on the sleeve 22, in addition to locking the pad H5 in its adjusted position, but will also lock the bolt M in the desired position along the length of the slot B2.

In this manner the pad I5 may be adjusted lengthwise of the frame M and locked in its adjusted angular position as well as its extended position relative to the frame M. It will, therefore, be seen that the truss pad I5 may be disposed in any desired position relative to the frame bar H and such adjustment may readily be effected by the wearer through the medium of a screwdriver.

It will also be apparent that one of the truss pads I5 may be adjusted independently of the other truss pad l5, and readily locked in its adjusted position. While I have shown a truss structure embodying two truss pads, it will be understood that if desired only one of these pads may be used.

The material of which the pad I5 is constructed may be varied to suit the particular ailment or condition, and it will also be understood that the concave face 25 of the: pad l5 may be changed to suit the particular condition.

The pad member I5 is preferably provided with an air cushion member '21 in the form of a hollow parti-spherical bod-y having an opening in the center thereof so that this body may readily move to an extended position shown in full lines in Fig 3. The inner end of this member 2'! is provided with a bead engaging about the periphery of the solid button member 5 5, the bead yieldingly holding the body 21 upon the button IS. The air cushion member 21 may be secured to any base or button construction, either as a part of said base or attached thereto if said base is suificiently rigid to support said member 21 and can be attached to the truss frame I 0.

When the device is in applied position the cushion member 2'! will flex to substantially the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3, trapping a quantity of air therein so that a yieldable and soft cushion is provided for contact with the injured part, and this yieldable body will flex under undue strains so that the injured part will not be unduly affected by such undue strains. Preferably the body 2'! tapers in thickness from the inner toward the outer end thereof so that the thicker portion thereof will yieldingly resist collapsing of the body.

shaped member and said bar and engaging about v said bolt to lock said member in angularly adjusted position relative to said bar while holding said member in adjusted spaced relation to said bar.

2. In a truss, an elongated rigid frame bar, a concavo-convex pad carrier member, a threaded bolt engaging through said" bar and having an end portion thereof disposed within said concavo-convex member, a nut threaded onto said bolt engaging within the concavo-convex member and having a convex surface engaging the concave side of said concave-convex member, a cylindrical sleeve loosely disposed about said bolt, said sleeve having peripheral threads, and an annular nut threaded onto said sleeve and engaging the convex side of said concave-convex member and coasting with said first nut to hold said pad carrier member in angularly adjusted position relative to said bar while simultaneously maintaining said pad carrier member in spaced relation with respect to said bar.

WILLIAM P. WALTER. 

